MRI of the spine is used to diagnose spinal conditions, nerve problems, and injuries. Patients must lie still in the noisy MRI machine, and may need contrast agents. The test is safe, but patients should alert technicians to any implants or allergies.
In a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the spine, a piece of medical equipment will be used to obtain a series of images of a patient’s spine to gather information about a spinal condition. During the study, the patient will need to lie very still within a confined space within the MRI machine. The environment can be noisy, although headphones are usually provided to protect the patient’s ears. Once the scan is complete, the images will be read and used to develop a treatment plan for the patient.
Doctors may recommend an MRI of the spine when a patient has back pain or signs of spinal nerve problems, such as abnormal sensation or loss of sensation. This test may also be ordered for people who have suffered spinal trauma, as doctors may be concerned about spinal cord injuries. People often have spinal MRI scans after car accidents and serious falls, for example, sometimes even if there are no obvious symptoms of spinal damage, for safety reasons.
To prepare for an MRI of the spine, the patient will be asked to put on a hospital gown and remove all jewelry. Metal objects are unsafe in and around an MRI machine, and patients who have had any type of implant surgery should alert the technician. The patient may also receive other imaging studies around the same time if a doctor wants to gather more information, such as a simple X-ray to visualize the spine.
In some cases, an MRI of the spine requires the use of a contrast agent. The contrast will help bring out some structure on the image, making it sharper and easier to read, and potentially brightening up things that might not otherwise be visible. In a contrast-enhanced MRI of the spine, the patient will be injected with the contrast agent before the test begins and will have to wait while it circulates. There is a small risk of experiencing an allergic reaction to the contrast and patients should alert their doctors if they have any allergies.
During the test itself, the patient lies flat on a table which is pushed into the MRI machine. Pads and blankets are often provided for comfort, and some facilities play music to help patients relax during the scan. The time it takes for an MRI of the spine varies, depending on how much of the spine is being viewed, and patients who are concerned about claustrophobia may be able to access anti-anxiety medications to keep calm during the scan.
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